Azernews.Az

By Akbar Mammadov

Azerbaijan has evacuated 276 of its citizens from neighbouring Iran that has been hit by the coronavirus outbreak, the Operational Headquarters under the Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers reported on March 4.

Three of the evacuees have tested positive for the virus, according to the statement issued by the Operational Headquarters on March 5. Thus, the number of registered coronavirus cases in the country reached six.

All evacuated people have been placed in the quarantine regime for 14-29 days.

The evacuation of the citizens was realized with the help of a special corridor at the border crossing.

“Citizens coming from Iran to the Astara border crossing have been provided with temporary accommodations and necessary conditions. With the predetermined schedule, 276 persons have crossed to the Azerbaijani territory. Citizens crossing the border were taken to quarantine zones by specially allocated buses,” the statement reads.

Azerbaijan’s Embassy in Tehran and Consulate General in Tabriz have launched hotlines where Azerbaijani citizens left Iran can address the request for evacuation via airlift or specially designated border corridor.

The total number of registered coronavirus cases in Azerbaijan has reached six. Earlier, President Aliyev allocated 10 million manats [$5.8m] to prevent the spread of the virus in the country.

Azerbaijan recently closed its borders with Iran and stopped air flights to this country. It also anned the entry of Iranian ships to its seaports.

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